Our projects worldwide

Animal Welfare Projects

All over the world animals are neglected, mistreated, abused and killed inhumanely. We are highly commited to improve the living conditions of these animals long term. With that in mind we chose our projects and our partners according to clear guidelines. In Bulgaria, Malawi and in Thailand for example we support the medical treatment of stray dogs and cats and conduct free vaccination and spay and neuter campaigns. Where people earn their living with the help of horses, donkeys and other pack animals, we show the owners how to provide properly for the animals and we offer veterinary aid.

We actively support ten animal protection projects with direct donations and expertise in Bulgaria, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malawi, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam.

To enhance the current disaster situation after the strong earthquake in April 2016 Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V. (WTG) funds the Ecuador Earthquake emergency relief operation with regard to the affected animals.
Given the general situation of the volcano activity in Ecuador, our common long term aim is to establish a culture of animal safety and preparedness, as well as making local authorities and emergency organizations understand that animals must be included in all disaster management plans.
The cooperation between Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V. and PAE focuses on the Canton of Penipe, as one of the most affected areas. We aim to reach all the parishes to prepare them for an eventual emergency and to provide useful information for the communities to keep their animals safe and healthy.

The manifold animal kingdom in Cambodia is in acute danger because of poaching and the loss of natural habitat. The implication of protective laws that exist is difficult because of the ignorance of the local population and the lack of skilled employees. Together with the organisation for the protection of nature ACCB (Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity) we stand up for the endangered animals. In the sanctuary about two hundred animals of 35 different species have found new homes, where they can feel save. Among the guests in the sanctuary there are injured, saved or confiscated mammals, birds, reptiles and wild animals like leopard cats, marabous, “temple” tortoises, slow loris (Nycticebus) and “Pavo muticus” peacocks.

To help the destitute animals on the long term and to safeguard biodiversity, the attitude of the population towards animals has to be changed. This goal can only be achieved by education. Within the framework of further education programs, workshops and seminars, we raise the awareness for the threat the animals live in and for the ecological context.
(in cooperation with the ACCB)

In Vietnam still numerous sun bears and moon bears suffer a life of agony in much too tiny and dirty cages of the so called bear bile farms. The “farmers” extract the gall bladder’ liquid, the bile, on a regular basis, in order to use it in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Luckily more and more people are speaking out against the consumption of bile and request the liberation of the captured animals. But the animals rescued cannot be set free, because after years of imprisonment they cannot survive in the wild any more. The only chance they have is to live in sanctuaries. Therefore we support the enlargement of the sanctuary of our partner “Free the Bears” in South Vietnam’s Cat Tien National Park, which has become too small. Once the centre of about 12 hectare’s size is ready, the bears can live according their natural impulses and recover from their long ordeal. The sanctuary’s employees get proper training in order to cope with the health requirements of the bears as well as possible. A visitor centre is to be built, too. So people will be able to learn about the needs of the animals and watch them frolicking. On site people can reverse their points of view and on the long term cause all illegal bear bile farms to close down so that bears do not have to suffer any more.
(in cooperation with Free the Bears)

The elephants on Sumatra lost their natural habitat because of the vast clearing of the Indonesian rain forest. Within one elephant generation only the population of wild elephants has halved – only about 2,000 animals are still living. Our partner organisation Community for Sumatra Nature Conservation (CSNC) cares for the elephants in four state-run camps. The animals get veterinary treatment on a regular basis, and their keepers are being instructed on location in order to improve the situation of the animals on the long term.

In order to keep the still roaming wild elephants in the rain forests and in order to prevent conflicts between people and the animals, ten patrol stations all over Sumatra were installed. Specially trained camp elephants and their riders, called Mahouts, roam the areas where conflicts occurred and save animals in distress, they trace both illegal woodcutters and poachers.
(in cooperation with the Community for Sumatra Nature Conservation – CSNC)

Malawi is one of the ten poorest countries in the world. With only 21 practising vets in the whole country veterinary care can hardly be obtained and hardly be afforded. Thousands and thousands of stray dogs, cats and livestock animals suffer from malnutrition, diseases and heavy parasite infestations. Furthermore in Malawi rabies poses a big problem, just one bite from a dog can lead to death. Together with the Malawi animal protection organisation LSPCA we organize mobile veterinary clinics. The vets treat the dogs, cats and livestock animals against rabies free of charges, they castrate and care for sick and injured animals. Animals who were mistreated or abandoned are taken in and thanks to an adoption program good homes are found for them.

We are convinced that responsible keeping of animals can only be improved on the long term by education and by the raising of awareness. Accordingly wherever the mobile clinic goes, informative talks are held with the owners about the needs of their animals.

After the devastating tsunami of 2004 a lot of rebuilding work was needed and construction workers came from the mainland to the islands in Southern Thailand. Many dogs were brought along with construction workers to guard the construction sites. Unfortunately, when the construction workers returned home, the dogs were left behind. With no competing local dog population, and with seasonal tourists feeding them, the new dogs continued to breed uncontrolled. Our partner organisation Lanta Animal Welfare has worked on the island Koh Lanta for many years to reduce the stray dog population humanely and provide medical care to animals in need with great success.
After the achievements on Koh Lanta Welttierschutzgesellschaft e.V. together with Lanta Animal Welfare started a mobile clinic for castration and medical care of stray cats and dogs in the neighbouring islands as well as to keep up and improve the good work on Koh Lanta. A team of vets and helpers together with all needed equipment travels by boat from island to island to help stray animals in need.
Till today more than 8,000 animals could be treated on Koh Lanta and the neighbouring islands. Only in 2013/2014 in six mobile clinics 1,221 cats and dogs were treated and many more clinics are planned for the future.
(in cooperation with Lanta Animal Welfare)

In the slums of South African towns, thousands of animals suffer. Where the risk of contracting rabies is highest and stray dogs and cats propagate without restrictions, most of the times no veterinary care is available at all. Because of fear and lack of knowledge thousands and thousands of animals are just being killed.

In cooperation with the local organisations “Community and Veterinary Services for Southern Africa” we tackle the problems: Around Pretoria, the capital of South Africa, we operate a mobile veterinary clinic equipped with trained personal, the technical equipment for surgery and medical treatments. As many inhabitants of the townships cannot afford veterinary care, in return, people often help us in our projects. It is our further aim to prevent the outbreak of an uncontrollable wave of rabies and to eliminate that virus in the end.

At the same time education and awareness training play an important role. In close cooperation with kindergartens and schools the children living in South African townships are playfully being instructed about the needs of dogs and cats.

Still Vietnam is among the countries with the biggest variety of animals and plants. But at the same time most of the species which are under the threat of extinction live in that country, too. In spite of animal protection laws the illegal trade with wild animals is a growing danger. Many big cats, serpents and tortoises have already become extinct, others are still fighting for survival. Together with the national non-profit organisation “Save Vietnams Wildlife” (SVW) we want to put an end to the extinction of species and give hope to the endangered wild animals in Vietnam with a sanctuary in the Cuc Phuong National Park. Animals who have been confiscated are housed there in safety, coddled up and later set free again in areas where hunting is prohibited. Of course, ill and weak animals find a forever home in the sanctuary. They live in enclosures especially adapted according to their needs, get regular feeding and toys. We especially support the building of new enclosures for predators and pangolins and the building of an educational centre open for the public, that means for the Vietnamese population and tourists as well.
(in cooperation with Save Vietnams Wildlife)

Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria, has an estimate of 10,000 stray cats and only a hand full of people taking care of them. Our partner organisation Streunerhilfe Bulgarien e.V. is taking care of ill and injured cats in Plovdiv as well as castrating stray cats to reduce the population of stray animals. Together with Streunerhilfe Bulgarien e.V. the „second chance“ house, a safe haven for ill, injured and weak stray cats was opened in October 2014. In “second chance” the cats get the care and peace to get well again as well healthy cats can recover a few days after castration surgery. In the cat house the cats have quiet resting areas, toys and scratching posts and a local cat-loving lady stays with cats 24 hours a day to make sure they are well cared for. Once the cats have recovered fully they get released back to the streets of Plovdiv. Also old or other cats which can’t be released back onto the streets loving homes are found.
(in cooperation with Streunerhilfe Bulgarien e.V.)

Donkeys have been kept by humans as working animals for more than 6,000 years. Till today in many parts of the world the livelihood of people depends on them.
In the South of India donkeys are a vital part of many local communities. They are used to carry heavy loads, often up to their own body weight. Overworked in the heat and pushed to their limits broken legs, body sores and dehydration are common problems. With no veterinary help nearby, these are often left untreated. Unconventional techniques are carried out in an attempt to help the donkeys but often cause more pain and discomfort. Hot iron brandings are applied to injuries or lameness and cutting of the nostrils is carried out in an attempt to improve the donkeys breathing.
These issues could be prevented with good veterinary care and raising awareness amongst the owners of their animals needs and welfare.
To achieve this we support the regular mobile donkey clinics run by our partner organisation WVS (Worldwide Veterinary Services). Two vets and assistants travel to villages in South India and run 3-day-clinics including medical care, deworming and vaccinations for the donkeys as well as training for the donkey owners about their animals’ needs and appropriate care. So far 1,753 donkeys have been treated and their owners educated to improve the donkeys condition long-term. The effects of the clinics are already visible as on return to the villages less sores and injuries were seen on the animals. More clinics and educational workshops are planned for the future.
(in cooperation with the Worldwide Veterinary Service)

In order to be able to help even more animals, we need your assistance!